Mounting assembly for pivotal bracket

ABSTRACT

A mounting assembly includes a chassis having a sidewall, a support bracket pivotally mounted to the sidewall of the chassis, and a locking member securely attached to the chassis. The support bracket has a locking portion thereon. The locking member has a latching portion thereon for engaging in the locking portion, thereby securing the support bracket to the locking member. When the support bracket is pivoted, the latching portion engages in the locking portion in a first direction, and when the locking member is pushed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the latching portion disengages from the locking portion, thereby disengaging the support bracket from the locking member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mounting assemblies for pivotal bracket, and more particularly to a mounting assembly which readily and conveniently secures a pivotal bracket to a computer chassis.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Nowadays, with the popularization of the computer, the trend toward miniaturization in computer systems is irresistible. In order to make the most of the internal space of a computer enclosure, it is required that components in the computer enclosure should be compactly arranged in a confined space inside the computer enclosure. For example, various data storage devices, such as hard disk drives, optical disk drives, and floppy disk drives, are installed in the computer enclosure for electronic communication and handling of data. Support brackets are often used to support and secure such data storage device inside the computer enclosure. However, a conventional bracket for accommodating data storage devices is firmly mounted to the computer enclosure by screws, rivets, or other fasteners. It is time-consuming and laborious to remove the bracket from the computer enclosure for gaining access to other components due to a confined space.

A typical mounting assembly for securing pivotal bracket is disclosed. The bracket is pivotally attached to a computer enclosure. A plurality of screws is required not only between a pair of fixing plates and the bracket, but also between the bracket and the computer enclosure. Therefore, the procedures of assembly and disassembly are considerably inconvenient and unduly arduous. Also, the fixing plates take up valuable space inside the computer enclosure. Furthermore, the bracket is pivoted substantially inside the computer enclosure, which also reduces space available for other components inside the computer enclosure.

What is needed, therefore, is a mounting assembly which readily and conveniently secures a pivotal bracket to a computer chassis.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A mounting assembly includes a chassis having a sidewall, a support bracket pivotally mounted to the sidewall of the chassis, and a locking member securely attached to the chassis. The support bracket has a locking portion thereon. The locking member has a latching portion thereon for engaging in the locking portion, thereby securing the support bracket to the locking member. When the support bracket is pivoted, the latching portion engages in the locking portion in a first direction, and when the locking member is pushed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the latching portion disengages from the locking portion, thereby disengaging the support bracket from the locking member.

Other advantages and novel features will be drawn from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with the attached drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a mounting assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mounting assembly including a computer chassis, a support bracket, a clasp member, a positioning member, and a plurality of fasteners;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the clasp member and the positioning member of FIG. 1, but viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the clasp member and the positioning member of FIG. 2, but viewed from another aspect;

FIG. 4 is a pre-assembled view of the mounting assembly of FIG. 1, with the support bracket pivotally mounted to the computer chassis; and

FIG. 5 is an assembled view of the mounting assembly of FIG. 1, with the support bracket secured to the computer chassis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mounting assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, which secures a pivotal bracket to a computer chassis, includes a computer chassis 10, a support bracket 20, and a locking member for locking the support bracket 20 to the computer chassis 10. The locking member comprises a clasp member 30 and a positioning member 40.

The computer chassis 10 includes a bottom wall 11, a sidewall 12, and a rear wall 13 connected perpendicularly with the bottom wall 11 and the sidewall 12. Two screw holes (not shown) are defined in the bottom wall 11. The sidewall 12 is formed to have a pair of opposite supporting blocks 122 thereon. A pivot pin 124 extends outwards and horizontally from each supporting block 122. A rectangular opening 131 is defined in the rear wall 13 of the computer chassis 10. A part of the rear wall 13 is bent perpendicular and in to form a tab 134 (shown in FIG. 4), and a top end of the tab 134 is bent horizontally to form a flange 136.

The support bracket 20 is pivotally mounted to the sidewall 12 of the computer chassis 10. The support bracket 20 includes two opposite step-shaped sidewalls 21, 22 and a bottom wall 24 connected with the two sidewalls 21, 22. Front and rear sides of the sidewall 21 are bent perpendicular and out to form a tab 211 respectively, and each of the tabs 211 defines a pivot hole 213 therein, corresponding to each of the pivot pins 124 of the computer chassis 10. The sidewall 22 of the support bracket 20 is formed to have a shoulder 23. A top end of the sidewall 22 is bent horizontally to form a flange 221. The shoulder 23 forms a vertical and downward protruding tab 232 by stamping, and the protruding tab 232 forms a locking portion 234 thereon. In the present preferred embodiment, the locking portion 234 is a locking hole defined in the protruding tab 232. Alternatively, the locking portion 234 may be a catch formed on the protruding tab 232.

The clasp member 30 is securely attached to the positioning member 40 by one of three fasteners 50 such as a screw, a rivet, or the like. The clasp member 30 includes a horizontal mounting portion 31 and an elastic vertical portion 32 connected with the mounting portion 31. The mounting portion 31 defines a through hole 312 therein. Opposite sides of the vertical portion 32 are split to form a slanted flap 322 respectively. A top end of the vertical portion 32 has a latching portion 324 with a cambered guiding surface thereon. In the preferred embodiment, the latching portion 324 is a catch formed on the top end of the vertical portion 32. Similarly, the locking portion 234 may be a locking hole defined in the vertical portion 32.

The positioning member 40 is firmly mounted to the bottom wall 11 of the computer chassis 10 by the other two fasteners 50. The positioning member 40 includes a horizontal mounting portion 41, two opposite portions 42, 44 and a stop block 43 perpendicularly connecting the two portions 42, 44 extend up from the mounting portion 41. A pair of protruding posts 412 extends up from the mounting portion 41 adjacent opposite sides of the stop block 43. Each of the protruding posts 412 defines a screw hole (not labeled) for extension of the corresponding fastener 50 therethrough. A threaded hole 414, adjacent to the stop block 43, is defined in the mounting portion 41. An elongated cantilever 422, above the mounting portion 41, extends horizontally from the portion 42. A rectangular opening 432 is defined in the stop block 43, and a curved elastic resisting tab 434 extends upwards from a top end of the stop block 43.

Referring to FIG. 3, the mounting portion 31 of the clasp member 30 is extended through the opening 432 of the stop block 43 of the positioning member 40. Simultaneously, the vertical portion 32 of the clasp member 30 is situated between the stop block 43 and the cantilever 422, and the flaps 322 of the vertical portion 32 resists elastically against the stop block 43 respectively. Then, one of the three fasteners 50 runs through the through hole 312 of the clasp member 30 to engage in the threaded hole 414 of the positioning member 40, thereby securely mounting the clasp member 30 to the positioning member 40. Finally, a free end of the cantilever 422 of the positioning member 40 extends through the opening 131 of the rear wall 13 of the computer chassis 10. Moreover, the other two fasteners 50 pass through the screw holes of the protruding posts 412 to engage in the screw holes of the bottom wall 11 of the computer chassis 10 respectively, thereby firmly securing the positioning member 40 to the computer chassis 10 (shown in FIG. 4).

Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, in assembly of the support bracket 20, the pivot pins 124 of the supporting block 122 of the computer chassis 10 are first aligned with the pivot holes 213 of the support bracket 20 respectively, thereby pivotally mounting the support bracket 20 to the sidewall 12 of the computer chassis 10. Then, the support bracket 20 is pivoted down about the pivot pins 124. The bottom end of the protruding tab 232 of the support bracket 20 resists against the cambered guiding surface of the latching portion 324, and slides downwards therealong, thereby urging the latching portion 324 to move towards the stop block 43. While the latching portion 324 is resisted to move towards the stop block 43, the two flaps 322 of the clasp member 30 are elastically compressed. As the support bracket 20 continues to be pivoted down, the latching portion 324 of the clasp member 30 snappingly engages with the locking portion 234 of the protruding tab 232 in a first direction (in a vertical direction) due to rebounding of the two flaps 322. Simultaneously, the resisting tab 434 of the positioning member 40 is elastically compressed by the bottom surface of the shoulder 23 of the support bracket 20. Moreover, the flange 221 of the support bracket 20 resides on the flange 136 of the rear wall 13. Thus, the support bracket 20 is mounted to the computer chassis 10 in a locked position.

In disassembly of the support bracket 20, the free end of the cantilever 422 is pushed in a second direction (in a horizontal direction). The cantilever 422 resists against the vertical portion 32 of the clasp member 30 towards the stop block 43, thereby urging the latching portion 324 of the clasp member 30 to disengage from the locking portion 234 of the protruding tab 232. At the same time, the resisting tab 434 of the positioning member 40 lifts up the bottom surface of the shoulder 23 of the support bracket 20, thereby urging the support bracket 20 to pivot upwards. Thus, the unlocked support bracket 20 can be freely pivoted about the pivot pins 124 to an unlocked position.

In view of the disassembly described above, the cantilever 422 serves as an operating member, which is operable to resist against the clasp member 30, thereby enabling the clasp member 30 to disengage from the locking portion 234 of the support bracket 20. Therefore, the operating member can be configured to be any suitable shape, size, or formed with any one of the chassis 10, the support bracket 20, and the locking member as long as it can perform the function mentioned above, and should not be limited to the embodiments given herein.

In another preferred embodiment, different locking structures may be arranged on the computer chassis 10 and the support bracket 20, for locking the support bracket 20 with respect to the computer chassis 10. In addition, the clasp member 30 and the positioning member 40 can be integrally molded to form a unitary locking member, thereby snappingly engaging with the support bracket 20.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of preferred embodiments thereof, and while the preferred embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such details. Additional advantages and modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific details and illustrative examples shown and described. 

1. A mounting assembly comprising: a chassis comprising a sidewall thereon; a support bracket pivotally mounted to the sidewall of the chassis, the support bracket comprising a locking portion thereon; and a locking member mounted on the chassis, the locking member having a latching portion thereon for engaging with the locking portion, thereby securing the support bracket to the locking member, wherein when the support bracket is pivoted, the latching portion engages with the locking portion in a first direction, and when the locking member is pushed in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the latching portion disengages from the locking portion, thereby disengaging the support bracket from the locking member.
 2. The mounting assembly as described in claim 1, wherein the locking member comprises a positioning member firmly attached to the chassis, and a clasp member securely mounted to the positioning member, the clasp member has a vertical portion thereon, and the latching portion is formed on the vertical portion.
 3. The mounting assembly as described in claim 2, wherein the positioning member forms a stop block thereon, the clasp member is formed to have a pair of flaps thereon for resisting against the stop block.
 4. The mounting assembly as described in claim 2, wherein a cantilever extends from the positioning member, and the cantilever is deformable in the second direction.
 5. The mounting assembly as described in claim 4, wherein the chassis comprises a rear wall connected with the sidewall, and the rear wall defines an opening therein for extension of a free end of the cantilever therethrough.
 6. The mounting assembly as described in claim 5, wherein the rear wall is bent to form a tab, a top end of the tab is bent to form a flange, the support bracket has a sidewall, and the sidewall is bent to form a flange residing on the flange of the tab.
 7. The mounting assembly as described in claim 6, wherein the sidewall of the support bracket comprises a horizontal shoulder, and the locking portion is formed on the shoulder.
 8. The mounting assembly as described in claim 2, wherein the positioning member forms an elastic resisting tab for resisting against the support bracket.
 9. A mounting assembly comprising: a chassis comprising a first wall thereon; a support bracket attached to the first wall of the chassis and pivotable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the support bracket comprising a locking portion thereon; and a locking member attached to the chassis, the locking member having a latching portion thereon for engaging with the locking portion in the locked position, thereby securing the support bracket to the locking member, a cantilever extending laterally across the locking member, wherein when the cantilever is deflected to resist against the locking member, the latching portion is disengaged from the locking portion to the unlocked position, thereby detaching the support bracket from the locking member.
 10. The mounting assembly as described in claim 9, wherein the locking member comprises a positioning member firmly attached to the chassis, and a clasp securely mounted to the positioning member.
 11. The mounting assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the clasp member comprises a vertical portion forming the latching portion, and a mounting portion secured to the positioning member.
 12. The mounting assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the positioning member forms a stop block thereon, and the vertical portion of the clasp member is formed to have a pair of flaps thereon for resisting against the stop block.
 13. The mounting assembly as described in claim 12, wherein the cantilever extends from the positioning member, for resisting against the vertical portion of the clasp member.
 14. The mounting assembly as described in claim 9, wherein the chassis comprises a second wall connected with the first wall, and the second wall defines an opening therein for extension of the cantilever therethrough.
 15. The mounting assembly as described in claim 9, wherein the support bracket comprises a sidewall with a shoulder formed thereon, and the locking portion is formed on the shoulder.
 16. The mounting assembly as described in claim 9, wherein the positioning member forms an elastic resisting tab for resisting against the support bracket.
 17. A mounting assembly comprising: a chassis comprising a wall thereon; a support bracket pivotally mounted to the wall of the chassis; a locking member securely attached to the chassis; a locking structure arranged on the locking member and the support bracket for securing the support bracket to the chassis, wherein when the support bracket is pivoted, the support bracket is secured to the locking member by the locking structure, and the support bracket disengages from the locking member when the locking structure is unlocked; and an operating member formed on one of the chassis, the support bracket, and the locking member, the operating member being configured for unlocking the locking structure.
 18. The mounting assembly of claim 17, wherein the locking structure comprises a locking portion formed on the support bracket, and a latching portion formed on the locking member for snappingly engaging with the locking portion.
 19. The mounting assembly of claim 18, wherein the locking structure comprises a locking hole defined in the support bracket, and a catch formed on the locking member for snappingly engaging in the locking hole.
 20. The mounting assembly of claim 18, wherein the operating member comprises a cantilever extending from the locking member and abutting the latching portion. 